9-1-1 Frequently Asked Questions

How does 9-1-1 work in Boone County?

9-1-1 is in service for every telephone in both city and rural
areas within Boone County. When you dial 9-1-1,
your call is automatically sent to the Public
Safety Joint Communications Center located in
Columbia at 7th & Walnut St. If you are calling
from outside the Columbia metro dialing area,
there are no long distance charges. If you need
to call 9-1-1 from a pay telephone, there is no
charge- just pick up the receiver and dial. Upon
receipt of a 9-1-1 call, information is automatically
displayed on a computer screen that will assist
the dispatcher in identifying the address from
which the call is being placed. But it is vitally
important that you stay on the line and tell the
9-1-1 dispatcher what help is needed and where
it is needed.

What if you don't need a response?

You should not use 9-1-1 if you are in need of information from
one of the emergency services. To obtain information from an emergency service,
a seven digit number for each agency can be found in the blue pages of the
telephone book, or call directory assistance. 9-1-1 is not for information!

Can the hearing impaired use the 9-1-1 system?

Yes. the Public Safety Joint Communications Center is equipped
with Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) in both ASCII and Baudot
formats that enable communications with the hearing impaired. Dispatchers
receive training in the use of TDD's and TDD symbols and jargon. Dispatchers
are also familiar with the Relay Missouri Center at 1-800-735-2466 (voice)
and frequently take calls through this service. There is no charge for this
service.

Does 9-1-1 work from cellular phones?

Yes. If you dial 9-1-1 on your cellular phone and reach a tower
site located in Boone County, your call will be
answered by the Public Safety Joint Communications
Center. However, if your phone reaches
a site outside Boone County, your call may be
directed to another facility. Therefore, it is
even more important for cellular callers to remain
on the phone to provide information to the dispatchers
for responding emergency equipment.

Cellular providers are required to provide
information on every call placed to 911 from one
of their subscribers. Minimum information
required is the telephone number the call was
placed from and the tower the phone is
reaching. Many phones currently will
report the phones location as well. This
information is automatically mapped at the
center while the call is in progress.
Regulations will require all phones to provide
all this information in the near future.

There is no
charge for air time on your cellular bill for
calling 9-1-1.

Does calling 9-1-1 mean you will get an immediate or faster response
than dialing the non emergency number?

All emergency services (police, fire, and ambulance) will respond
to your call for assistance as quickly as possible
regardless of how the call is received. However,
if an agency is busy, a response will be provided
in the order of urgency.

What should I do if a dispatcher does not immediately answer when I call?

Stay on the phone and do not hang up unless you are in
immediate danger. 9-1-1 calls are routed to the dispatchers in a
time queue, meaning the calls that have been ringing longest will answer
before one just beginning to ring. When you hang up, the line continues
to ring until it is answered by a dispatcher and the line is locked on by
the 9-1-1 system. The operator will call back to check your status.

Does 9-1-1 work with Poison Control?

Yes. If someone has taken a poison, dial 9-1-1 immediately. The
dispatcher will connect you with the poison control center and if necessary
send the closest emergency medical emergency response. If you need information
about poisons, call the poison control center direct at 1-800-366-8888.

When should I teach my child to call 9-1-1?

Although children have been taught
to call 9-1-1 as early as two or three years of
age, four to five years is usually the best age.
At four or five, children can understand what
to do under certain circumstances (e.g. house
catches on fire, parent is "asleep and won't wake
up", etc.) Use the child's toy telephone to practice
not only calling, but explaining the circumstances
that may necessitate calling for help. Parents
should enforce the fact that children should only
call 9-1-1 for emergencies and not to play or
just to see if it works.